Portugal and Italy seal €3.9 bn frigate deal in bilateral defence pact

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro made his first visit to Italy in 12 years, meeting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome. The leaders signed a series of bilateral agreements, including a defence pact under the EU SAFE programme. Portugal will purchase three FREMM‑EVO multi‑purpose frigates from Italy’s Fincantieri, valued at roughly €3.9 billion, with delivery scheduled for 2029‑2030. Montenegro said the acquisition enhances Portuguese and European maritime surveillance, strategic autonomy and creates jobs. Meloni called the deal a recognition of Italian industrial excellence and a step toward greater European defence capability. A foreign‑policy declaration, also signed by foreign ministers Antonio Tajani and Paulo Rangel, aims to deepen cooperation in defence, energy, digital and blue‑economy sectors and to solidify political dialogue between the two nations.